I lead with clarity, empathy,
and trust. 

Creating the structure and space for good people to do great work.

Design leadership isn’t just about taste or process; it’s about creating the conditions for good work to happen. Clear direction, honest feedback, and enough space for people to bring their best ideas forward. My focus is on building that kind of environment.

I believe in alignment over control, trust over supervision, and structure that supports creativity rather than restricts it. When people understand the goals and feel safe to explore, the work improves on its own.

Principles

🧭 Clarity first. 
When the path is clear, the team moves with confidence.

⚙️ Systems serve people. 
Process should help, not hinder.

❤️ Design is emotional. 
The best work connects before it convinces.

✅ Consistency builds trust.
Internally and externally.

💬 Good teams tell the truth.
Healthy tension, handled well, creates better outcomes.

✨ AI Acceleration, human refinement. 
AI accelerates possibilities, critical thinking turns them into decisions.

With Teams

I’ve led design groups of all sizes, from small, fast-moving teams to global organizations. No matter the scale, the goal is the same: to ensure design contributes to the business in meaningful ways and that the people doing the work feel ownership of it.

I help teams clarify their purpose, define standards, and establish simple rhythms that keep everyone aligned. Things like working agreements, clear areas of ownership, weekly rituals, and design critique help co-create a culture and elevate the work.

With Design Leads

Leadership should multiply leadership. I work closely with design leads to help them discover their own style, to strike a balance between autonomy and accountability, and to foster trust across their teams.

Most of the work is conversational, focusing on setting priorities, improving feedback loops, growth opportunities, or simply finding ways to protect focus and energy. The result is a group of leaders who are confident, grounded, and aligned around the same north star.

With Executives and Partners

Great design leadership connects disciplines. I often work between design, product, and brand to ensure teams share a single direction. That might involve defining a vision, facilitating a strategy session, or establishing a framework for decision-making.

The goal isn’t to make design “win”, it’s to help everyone see the same picture, make smarter decisions, and move forward together, so as a result, the user and business win.

What It Feels Like to work with me

Calm. Clear. Productive.

Design feels less chaotic, conversations feel more focused, and outcomes feel intentional. Teams understand why their work matters, and leaders can trust that design is contributing in the right ways.

That’s what good design leadership looks like to me. It’s not about making more noise; it’s about bringing clarity, direction, and care to how the work gets done.

"Clio is the best kind of leader, one who combines sound strategy with heartfelt creative work and builds high-performing teams with a rare balance of kindness and rigorous standards."

Michelle (Davidson) Heubusch

Sr. UX Manager - Mozilla

heraclio@designstgy.com